Merit Badge Counselor Training

Merit Badge Counselor Training Objective Reasons

Objective: All Merit Badge Counselors must be trained in the aims of Scouting and in advancement procedures. The district or council advancement committee should train counselors either as a group or individually. Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures

Reasons: Knowledge Understanding Uniformity Vision

ADVANCED LEARNING TECHNIQUE: Take quiz now, then course program, last correct quiz. EVERYONE SCORES 100%

COURSE OUTLINE

COURSE OUTLINE The Administrative The Award MB Counselor Requirements The Merit Badge Process

The Administrative Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures, Publication 33088D: Article X: The responsibility for merit badges shall rest with the merit badges counselor approved by the local council Responsibilities of the Council Advancement Committee: Approve merit badge counselors and publish council and/or district merit badge counselor lists. Promoting Advancement: contacts at council level expedite recruiting counselors not preempt the district committee..

The Administrative (cont d.) Advancement at Summer Camp: The procedure should be established, in writing, by the council advancement committee No council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add or subtract from advancement requirements. Approving MB Counselors and Publishing List of Counselors: The council advancement committee: is responsible for approving MB counselors reviews the district MB counselors list and has it published at least once a year by the council service center.

The Administrative (cont d.) Qualifications of Counselors: The Merit Badge Counselor Information form is used by district or council advancement committees in determining the qualifications of persons to serve as MB counselors. All MB counselors must be approved by the council advancement committee. Removed, but MBCI still used. Maintaining a Current List of MB Counselors: The district or council list of counselors should be reproduced for distribution to troops. Lists are updated at least once a year, usually when councils and districts reregister.

The Administrative (cont d.) Maintaining a Current List of MB Counselors: MB counselors are registered with the local council. As with all council members, their registration must be renewed annually. As part of the local council charter renewal process, the council advancement committee sends a letter to existing MB counselors who are to continue for another year. Provides an opportunity to assure MB counselors lists are updated. An excellent opportunity to not reregister those persons identified as not following the policies of the BSA.

The Administrative (cont d.) Troop MB Counselors All merit badge counselors must be approved by the council and district advancement committee, and counselors must register as a merit badge counselor. The council summarizes the monthly District Advancement Report Summaries on the annual charter

The Administrative SUMMARY Merit Badge Counselors: Sole responsibility for merit badges Approved by council Can recruited by council Primarily selected by district For summer camp--procedure in writing May not change MB requirements Are responsibility of council advancement committee In annual list published by council Are qualified (method no longer specific) Are registered with council for one year

COURSE OUTLINE The Administrative The Award MB Counselor Requirements The Merit Badge Process

The Award What is a Merit Badge? an award based on completing a set of specific requirements a small piece of khaki cloth with a colored design the significant interest of an adult in helping a boy a subject of interest to a Scout a subject of interest to an adult a subject required to reach the Eagle rank a craft or hobby an idea of service a vocational field

The Award (cont d) Career Fields valid impact on the life of a Scouts may involve service clubs, unions or professional societies professional society members can be MB counselors professional societies can help recruit and train MB counselors

COURSE OUTLINE The Administrative The Award MB Counselor Requirements The Merit Badge Process

MB Counselor Requirements Must possess the moral, educational and emotional qualities Must be at least 18 years old May be a citizen of the USA or non-citizen (some limitations) Subscribe to: the Declaration of Religious Principles the Scout Oath or Promise the Scout Law Have unique skills and education or experience or knowledge in the subject

MB Counselor Requirements (cont d) Have the interest to turn a colorembroidered piece of khaki cloth into something of significance so a Scout will want to earn it Must complete an Adult Application with a Position Code of 42 (This will authorize a criminal background check) Must complete the Merit Badge Counselor Information (MBCI) form

MB Counselor Requirements (cont d) Must be approved by: the District Advancement Committee the Scout Executive or his designee the Council Advancement Committee

MB Counselor Requirements SUMMARY Must have the necessary qualities Must be 18 May be citizen or non-citizen Scouting Religious Principles Scout Oath or Promise Scout Law Skills and knowledge Motional enthusiasm

MB Counselor Requirements SUMMARY Adult Application MB Counselor Information form Approval By Scouters, not chartered organization

MB Counselor Requirements The Purpose of Scouting to promote, though cooperation with other agencies: the ability of youth to do things for themselves and others

MB Counselor Requirements The Purpose of Scouting to teach youth patriotism, courage, self-reliance and kindred virtues

MB Counselor Requirements The Purpose of Scouting emphasis is placed on: educational program oaths, promises and codes for: character development citizenship mental fitness physical fitness

MB Counselor Requirements Does not define what constitutes a belief in God or the practice of religion Does not require membership in a religious organization Does prefer and strongly encourage membership and participation in the religious programs and activities of a religious organization

MB Counselor Requirements Respects the convictions of those who exercise their constitutional freedom to practice religion The standard of a Scout membership in a religious body is evaluated by those of that body {Therefore, an Eagle applicant must provide a reference from his religious leader to indicate whether he has lived up to their body s expectations.}

MB Counselor Requirements Boy Scout Advancement Procedure 1. Learning 2. Testing 3. Reviewing 4. Recognition

MB Counselor Requirements Boy Scout Advancement Procedure BOARDS OF REVIEW Purpose of The Review 1. To make sure that the work has been learned and completed 2. To check to see what kind of experience the boy is having in his patrol and troop 3. To encourage the Scout to advance to the next level

MB Counselor Requirements Boy Scout Advancement Procedure THE REVIEW IS NOT AN EXAMINATION Appropriate questions: where did he learn his skill? who taught him? what value did he gain from earning this recognition?

MB Counselor Requirements Boy Scout Advancement Procedure What the Board of Review Learns about the Merit Badge Program: Did the Scout do what he was suppose to? What kind of experience is the Scout having? What changes need to be made in the program? What are the Scout s ideals and goals?

MB Counselor Requirements Boy Scout Advancement Procedure What the Board of Review Learns about the Merit Badge Program: Is there a good standard of performance? Does the Scout recognize and understand the value of Scouting in his home, unit, school and community?

MB Counselor Requirements Boy Scout Advancement Procedure 1. Learning 2. Testing 3. Reviewing 4. Recognition

COURSE OUTLINE The Administrative The Award MB Counselor Requirements The Merit Badge Process

The Merit Badge Process 1. Guidance 2. Finding the requirements 3. Review/Decision 4. SM s role 5. Contact with MBC 6. MBC sets date & time & content (buddy) 7. MBC verifies requirements

The Merit Badge Process 8. 1st meeting (buddy) (written requirements) 9. Number of meetings 10.Meet the requirements 11.Coached & encouraged (buddy) 12.MBC assists 13.Individually tested (buddy)

The Merit Badge Process 14.MBC certifies & congratulates 15.MBC at Court of Honor

The Merit Badge Process--Group 1. Decision 2. MBC selected; schedule set 3. MBC develops presentations, aids & handout 30 minute sessions Games helpful 4. MBC reviews requirements

The Merit Badge Process--Group 5. Testing 6. Guest experts, visual and tactile aids

The Merit Badge Process Merit Badge Counseling 1. Make Scout feel warm and welcome 2. Stimulate 3. Easy start 4. Requirements review 5. Follow action words 6. Overkill

The Merit Badge Process Merit Badge Counseling 7. Testing & retesting 8. Encourage practice 9. Follow up 10.Encourage reflection 11. Atmosphere for questions 12. Genuine interest